Keith Ashley

Dr. Keith Ashley is an Assistant Professor of Archaeology at the Department of Sociology, Anthropology, and Social Work at the University of North Florida (UNF). As part of the UNF Archaeology Lab, he leads research initiatives focused on the archaeology of northeastern Florida, including the excavation of Timucua villages such as Sarabay (2020–2023) and collaborative digital humanities projects like Indigenous Florida, which aims to center Indigenous perspectives in the history of Jacksonville. His work bridges meticulous field research, laboratory analysis, and public education to uncover the region's deep Indigenous heritage.

Dr. Ashley's research spans the period A.D. 900–1700, emphasizing the interconnectedness of Native American trading networks, such as those linking the Mill Cove complex in Florida to Cahokia, the largest pre-1800 population center north of Mexico. His projects integrate chemical and physical analyses, historical records, and interdisciplinary collaboration to reconstruct past lifeways.

Through the Indigenous Florida digital platform, co-developed with Dr. Denise I. Bossy and UNF students, Dr. Ashley contributes to public outreach initiatives like the Indigenous Fort Caroline Digital Walking Tour and the Beaches Museum exhibit Our Land: Indigenous Northeast Florida. These efforts aim to democratize access to archaeological findings and challenge conventional narratives about Native American communities.